By: Mike Rifkin
The Atlanta Falcons missed the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season with a record of 7-10. Last offseason the Falcons hired Arthur Smith who was the Titans Offensive Coordinator to be their head coach and Terry Fontenot to be the team’s General Manager. In his first season as coach Smith’s offense averaged 18.4 points per game.
Last offseason the Falcons traded receiver Julio Jones, the franchise’s all time leading receiver to the Titans. If you listen to the Wishbone Shotgun Podcast (cheap plug) I believe the Falcons should go through an entire rebuild and that would start with moving on from Quarterback Matt Ryan.
Ryan had a decent season in 2021 with a 67.0 completion percentage 3,968 yards 20 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Ryan, the third overall pick in 2008 has the most wins in franchise history with 109. He holds a lot of other franchise records including touchdown passes and a lot of single season records. I believe the Falcons missed an opportunity at the draft last year to draft Ryan’s eventual successor, instead selecting Tight End Kyle Pitts. Pitts was the Falcons leading receiver with 1,026 yards, averaging 60 yards per game but only scored one touchdown. I think this was a missed opportunity for the Falcons because tThe hey aren’t always going to be picking in the top five of drafts as long as Ryan is their quarterback, with the fourth overall pick they could have had Justin Fields or Mac Jones but opted for the tight end which would have made more sense if they had kept Julio Jones. Either way I think it’s time to explore trading Matt Ryan.
Last offseason the Falcons signed former Panthers running back Mike Davis to a two year 5.5 million dollar contract. Davis ran for 503 yards per game and scored three touchdowns. Davis also contributed 44 catches for 259 yards and a touchdown. The Falcons averaged 85.4 rushing yards per game, the only team that averaged less were the Houston Texans. Former Viking first round pick Cordarrelle Patterson led the Falcons with 618 rushing yards and six touchdowns both of which were a career high. Patterson added 52 catches for 548 yards and five touchdowns. The 52 catches tied a career high and the 548 yards and five touchdowns were career highs.
Calvin Ridley in 2020 had a great season with 90 catches, 1,374 yards and nine touchdowns. Ridley had 31 catches for 281 yards and two touchdowns in five games, he stepped away to focus on his mental health. There have been some rumors swirling that the Falcons could trade Ridley this offseason.
The Falcons defense in 2021 struggled to say the least. The Falcons defense gave up 27.0 points per game last season. The Falcons defense had a league-lowest 18 sacks and on Wednesday cut Dante Fowler Jr. who led the team with four and a half sacks. The Falcons defense also gave up 131.9 yards per game rushing. Linebacker Foyesade Oluokun led the NFL in tackles with 192. Oluokun also had two sacks, one forced fumble and was tied for the team lead with three interceptions with second year cornerback AJ Terrell who took some steps forward. The Falcons had a -6 turnover differential.
The Falcons need to find a way to generate some cap space as they are currently over the cap. If they cut defensive tackle Tyeler Davison they can create 3.7 million dollars in cap space and 1.2 million in dead cap. Cutting cornerback Kendall Sheffield can save them 2.5 million dollars in cap space and 189,000 in dead cap. An interesting name is Mike Davis. By cutting him Atlanta would save 2.5 million dollars and pay 750,000 in dead cap. If the Falcons trade Ridley that would save them 11 million dollars and no dead cap.
I wrote earlier that I think the Falcons should move on from Matt Ryan. I don’t believe that will happen as that would create 40 million dollars in dead cap. But if the Falcons restructure his contract or extend him. If they restructure the Falcons can save 11.3 million dollars if they can extend him it might save up to 18.1 million dollars.
Draft
RD 1 (8) David Ojabo – Michigan -Edge. Ojabo can be the pass rusher this team desperately needs especially after cutting Fowler
` RD2 (43) – Justyn Ross- Clemson Receiver- If they trade Ridley and Russell Gage is a free agent. Matt Ryan needs a few weapons. Ross has a ton of upside but dealt with injuries at Clemson.
RD 2 (58) Bernhard Raimann – Central Michigan – OT. Matt Ryan isn’t getting younger and was not mobile to start with. Need to protect Ryan.
RD 3 (74) Jerome Ford – Running Back Cincinnati- Cordarrelle Patterson is a free agent and Mike Davis could be a cap casualty Ford was really good for the Bearcats and brings some size and ability to catch the ball out of the backfield.
Note the Falcons could select a quarterback with any of these picks, I just think with Tom Brady retiring and the NFC South wide open they will make one more run with Matt Ryan.
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